(<<Go Back to Part One)
Prepare for Travel
Traveling can also be an issue for people with chronic illness. You constantly have to think about where the nearest bathroom is or if the restaurant you visit will have something you can actually eat. I have found in situations like these, it’s helpful to carry things like an IBD Emergency Kit or a restroom access card. You might also consider calling restaurants ahead of time or even bringing your own food (ain’t no shame in it).
On particularly long trips that may prevent me from gaining access to a bathroom quickly, I have taken anti-diarrheal medication (remember to get the ok from your doctor!) and wearing adult diapers. You also might consider bringing wet wipes with you as well. You never want to be in a situation where toilet paper is scarce… or worse, like sandpaper!
Summer Fashion
During the hot months, it’s not fun dealing with sweaty-sticky clothing. I say that comfort is much better than fashion in many instances, however, there is definitely fashionable and comfortable clothing. I like to wear light clothing (skirts and tank tops) or loose-fitting dresses. For those with ostomies, loose clothing is much more bearable than tight clothing. As someone who lived with an ostomy for three months, I much preferred clothes that weren’t too tight. Sweating with an ostomy is uncomfortable to say the least!
As far as swimsuits go, those of us with scars might be hesitant to wear something that is more revealing. I have learned to love my scars. I haven’t quite gotten to the point, however, where I am keen on showing them off (baby steps!). There are very fashionable swimsuits out there. I was very fortunate last year to come across a one-piece that I absolutely adore! It has a great shape and covers my scars perfectly! You don’t have to wear a bikini to look cute! And guys, there’s no shame in wearing a t-shirt if your scars make you uncomfortable! Which brings me to my next point…
Sunscreen
In case you didn’t know, some medications can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Be sure to keep on top of your sunscreen and consider wearing light, long-sleeved summer clothing in addition to a hat to help prevent over-exposure. It’s good to get outside to get some sun, however. Many patients with IBD are deficient in vitamin D, so keep that in mind. The best source of this vitamin is the sun, but if it’s just not doable for you, definitely consider talking with your doctor about taking a vitamin D supplement.
Relax When You Can
A lot of activities take place during the summer months. It’s easy to get swept up in all the excitement of the summer. Between baseball games, vacations, picnics and barbecues, one can get pretty overwhelmed by it all. My advice here is to relax when you can. If you aren’t up for a get-together, don’t go. It’s important to take care of you! Sometimes it’s good to get out and take the risk of over-doing it, but if you do it too often, you can make your symptoms worse and nobody wants that. Take time to relax and don’t feel pressured to do something that will make you feel worse later.
What are you doing for the summer? Are there any more tips that I might have missed? Leave me a comment below and tell me!
